Another local lawsuit accuses drug makers of spreading opioid epidemic

n what is shaping up as a national trend, yet another local government has filed a lawsuit accusing several drug makers of spreading the opioid epidemic by deliberately downplaying risks and improperly encouraging prescribing of the addictive painkillers. And the latest to do so is Erie County, N.Y., in the western-most corner of the state, which includes the city of Buffalo.

The lawsuit alleged that four companies — Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen unit, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Endo International — caused the county government to spend millions of dollars each year in its efforts to combat the epidemic. The lawsuit, which was filed in state court in New York, also named four physicians, who purportedly assisted the drug makers.

This is a STAT Plus article and you can unlock it by subscribing to STAT Plus today. It's easy! Your first 30 days are free and if you don't enjoy your subscription you can cancel any time.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.

I do not understand the urgency of a project that holds so little promise of fulfilling people’s expectations of it. From everything I’ve read except the opinions of the persuaded, this has all the earmarks of a budgetary, governmental and traffic laugher. Cannot even imagine the chaos during construction! Good luck with it though – apparently it fulfills some destiny or other. And what an adorable little fake-Interstate logo.